Beschorneria plant named ‘BESYS’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Beschorneria  plant named ‘BESYS’ that is characterized by variegated leaves having a center yellow stripe with dark green margins.

Botanical classification: Beschorneria yuccoides.

Variety denomination: ‘BESYS’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofBeschorneria plant botanically known as Beschorneria yuccoides andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘BESYS’.

‘BESYS’ is a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of an unnamedBeschorneria yuccoides plant (not patented). ‘BESYS’ was discovered in agreenhouse in a cultivated area of Hamilton, New Zealand in 2005.

Asexual reproduction first occurred by tissue culture in 2006 inAuckland, New Zealand. Since that time, under careful observation, theunique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newBeschorneria cultivar ‘BESYS’. These traits in combination distinguish‘BESYS’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existing knownvarieties of Beschorneria.

-   -   1. Beschorneria ‘BESYS’ exhibits variegated leaves having a        center yellow stripe with dark green margins.

The closest comparison cultivar is the unnamed parent Beschorneriaplant. The new cultivar ‘BESYS’ is distinguishable from the unnamedparent plant by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘BESYS’ exhibits leaves having a center yellow stripe with        dark green margins that extend along the full length of the        leaf. The leaves of the unnamed parent plant are solid green.

‘BESYS’ can be compared to typical plants of the Beschorneria species.The new cultivar ‘BESYS’ is distinguishable from typical plants of theBeschorneria species by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘BESYS’ exhibits leaves that have a center yellow stripe with        dark green margins. The leaves of typical plants of the        Beschorneria species are all green.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofBeschorneria ‘BESYS’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall viewof a 3 year old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Beschorneria cultivarnamed ‘BESYS’. Data was collected in Hamilton, New Zealand from 3 yearold outdoor grown plants. The time of year was summer in the SouthernHemisphere. The temperature range during the day was 14 to 20°Centigrade and 4 to 10° Centigrade at night. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 1995edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies. ‘BESYS’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: Beschorneria yuccoides ‘BESYS’.-   Annual or perennial: Perennial succulent.-   Parentage: ‘BESYS’ is a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of    an unnamed Beschorneria yuccoides cultivar.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth habit: Clumping.-   Height: 120 cm. in height.-   Width: 120 cm. in width.-   Low temperature tolerance: −4 degrees Centigrade.-   High temperature tolerance: 30 degrees Centigrade.-   Propagation: Tissue culture.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner (summer): 3 months.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner (winter): 4 months.-   Crop time: Approximately 3 years.-   Root: Medium thickness, fleshy.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal.        -   Stem color.—201A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Rosette.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 42.        -   Leaf shape.—Linear.        -   Leaf apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base.—Truncate.        -   Leaf length.—80 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—11 cm. in width.        -   Texture.—Both sides glabrous.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Venation.—Absent.        -   Spines.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—Yellow center stripe 1C at            base fades to 2B at tip, stripe is 2 cm. wide at middle            tapering towards tips with margins 135A.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—Yellow center stripe 11B,            stripe is 1.5 cm. wide at middle tapering towards tips with            margins 135A.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—Yellow center stripe 149D            at base changes to 11B at tip, stripe is 5 cm. wide at            center tapering towards tips with margins 136B.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—Yellow center stripe 12D,            stripe is 4.5 cm. wide at middle tapering towards tips with            margins 135A.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Racemose.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—38.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—160 cm. in height and 28 cm. in            width.        -   Flower type.—Panicle.        -   Natural flowering season.—Spring.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Fruit/seed production: None observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to diseases and pests has    not been observed.

1. A new and distinct variety of Beschorneria plant named ‘BESYS’ asdescribed and illustrated.